Monmouth GuideThe Weekend EditionIssue #2Oct 9–11, 2026
Welcome to Issue 2 of The Weekend Edition, our Friday note on what is happening around Monmouth County. The weekend of October 9 to 11 leans hard into fall: sunflower fields and corn mazes, farmers markets from Hazlet to Marlboro, an Oktoberfest in Asbury Park, and a community festival at the Manasquan Inlet on Sunday.
Inside you will find the weather, five top picks, a day-by-day rundown, free options, family outings, a few places to eat, this week's local news, and a closer look at Upper Freehold. Pack a jacket for the evenings and keep an eye on Sunday, which looks like the wet day of the three.
Weekend weather at a glance
Friday and Saturday look mild and mostly dry, with highs near 72 and 70 degrees, while Sunday brings rain showers and a high near 67. Here is the full picture.
- Today72°FMostly Sunny
- Tonight49°FMostly Cloudy
- Saturday70°FPartly Sunny
- Saturday Night56°FMostly Cloudy · 4% rain
- Sunday67°FRain Showers · 92% rain
Top 5 picks this weekend
If you only have time for a few things, start here: farm festivals, an Oktoberfest on the Asbury Park waterfront, and two weekend farmers markets.
- U-pick Sunflower: Fall Festival - Holland Ridge Farms
This festival is more than just a day at the farm—it's a unique experience to create unforgettable memories. Ride the tractor shuttle or wander… - Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm
Enjoy a full day of fall fun at happy Day Farm! From the pumpkin patch and giant corn maze to farm animals, fun games, picture-perfect photo… - Mutiny Beach Oktoberfest!
Mutiny Beach Oktoberfest! Mutiny Beach Oktoberfest takes over Convention Hall, featuring German food and BBQ specials, live polka and traditional… - Hazlet Farmers Market
Get ready for the kickoff of a brand-new season. This Hazlet Township team is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community space and providing a… - Marlboro Farmers Market
The market is set on 56 acres of preserved land that was once the Stattel Farm. It provides a venue for small family farmers to sell locally grown…
Friday, October 9
Friday eases in with a downtown market, indoor gym time and an art show, plus a comedy on stage at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch.
- 11:00 AM Downtown Freehold Farmer's Market
- 12:00 PM Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center
- 1:00 PM On Display Rose Reilly Leonard Annual Student Art Show
- 2:00 PM Nacho Ate Spiderman - New Jersey Repertory Company
Saturday, October 10
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, with early markets in Asbury Park and Highlands, a town-wide garage sale in Hazlet, and a 5K starting in Belmar.
- 8:00 AM Asbury Park Sunset Farmers Market
- 8:30 AM Highlands Farmers Market
- 9:00 AM Hazlet Town-Wide Garage Sale
- 9:00 AM Monmouth County Archives and History Day - Brookdale Community College Free
- 9:00 AM Lake Como Day 5K
Sunday, October 11
Sunday leans toward food, fall and community, from Marlboro Restaurant Week to the Inlet Celebration in Manasquan. Rain is likely, so check ahead.
- All day Marlboro Restaurant Week
- 8:00 AM Jetty Surf Club
- 10:00 AM Howell Farmers Market
- 10:00 AM Fall Festival - Twin Pond Farm
- 11:00 AM The Inlet Celebration - Manasquan
Free things to do
These outings cost nothing to join, including free tours at Park System historic sites and a climbing wall session at Shark River Park on Friday afternoon.
- Fri · All day Park System Historic Sites Free
- Fri · 9:00 AM Pinstripe World Founding Artists Open Call (online) Free
- Fri · 3:00 PM Climb Time at Shark River Park Free
- Sat · 1:00 PM Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century Free
- Sun · 11:00 AM RESCHEDULED: Asbury Park Vintage Market at Convention Hall Free
Family-friendly
Plenty here for kids this weekend, from pumpkin decorating in Spring Lake to the Charlotte Joy Touch-A-Truck Festival at the East Freehold Showgrounds.
- Fri · 6:30 PM Halloween Social YOUTH
- Sat · 10:00 AM Charlotte Joy Touch-A-Truck Festival - Freehold
- Sat · 10:00 AM Pumpkin Patch Day - Spring Lake
- Sat · 10:00 AM Fall Harvest Arts & Crafts Festival - Ocean Grove
- Sat · 12:00 PM Allentown Fall Festival
Where to eat
A few spots worth knowing about if you are out and about in Asbury Park or Long Branch this weekend.
Asbury Park
- Coniglio's King of Pies
Brooklyn pizza champion Nino Coniglio's shop (opened June 2026) turning out sourdough-forward rounds, grandma pies and an upside-down Sicilian. - Dolce Fantasia
BYOB northern Italian spot for homemade pasta, short rib and house-made desserts like pistachio cheesecake.
Long Branch
- Rook Coffee (Long Branch)
Long Branch location of the local roaster known for New Orleans-style cold brew and seasonal drinks. - Amy's Omelette House
North End breakfast-and-lunch favorite known for its huge omelette menu and pancakes.
This week’s local news
A quick look at what local outlets reported around the county this week.
- NJ Transit and Amtrak reducing service again because of work on this major bridge. What you need to know.
- Red Bank: Schools recruit council in charter school fight; mayor calls move “misguided”
redbankgreen reports the Red Bank school district is asking the borough council to join its opposition to charter schools, a step the mayor called misguided.
- Pop up tacos draw crowd
redbankgreen reports that pop-up vendor Tacos Los Mandones drew a long line at the train station on Thursday night.
- Live Music, Oktoberfest & More: This Weekend In Monmouth County
Freehold Patch rounds up weekend happenings around Monmouth County, including live music and Oktoberfest events.
One town to explore: Upper Freehold
This week we head to Upper Freehold Township, a largely agricultural corner of southwestern Monmouth County with preserved farmland and the village of Cream Ridge.
- TK's Ice Cream
Ice cream stand on Route 539 in Cream Ridge that is on the NJ Ice Cream Trail and also makes custom ice cream cakes. - Crosswicks Creek Park
A 2,366-acre county park along Crosswicks Creek, centered on Historic Walnford, with informal trails, creek paddling, and a fishing hole. - Historic Walnford
A 36-acre historic mill village with the 1773 Waln House and a working 19th-century gristmill.
That is Issue 2. Whatever you choose, from a corn maze to a Sunday market, keep Sunday's rain in mind and check with organizers before heading out. Thanks for reading The Weekend Edition, published here every Friday. See you next Friday.
Quick answers
What is there to do in Monmouth County this weekend (Oct 9–11)?
Top picks include U-pick Sunflower: Fall Festival - Holland Ridge Farms (Friday, Holland Ridge Farms), Fall Harvest Festival- Happy Day Farm (Friday, Manalapan) and Mutiny Beach Oktoberfest! (Friday, Asbury Park). The Weekend Edition lists 19 events for the weekend, plus 5 free things to do.